Pingala Upanishad

Pingala Upanishad is the 11^th among the Sukla Yajurvedic Upanishads. It is presented as the discussion between Maharshi yajnavalkhya and his disciple Pingala, in four chapters. In the first chapter following points are described.

The cosmic power and its relation with brahma chaitanya.

The colors of the Brahmam.

saathwika, raajasika and thaamasika gunas present in this.

The brahma chaitanyam is said to be filled in universe hence explained as brahmaanda. Ie. Brahma + anda = brahmaanda.

The awareness and consciousness existing in the universe is explained as the manifestation of the Brahmam itself : prajnaaanam brahma.

From that prajnaan ( awareness and consciousness) the creation of the ahamkaaram (aham + kaaram) = swabhodham takes place.

It is the awareness and consciousness with correct direction (pathway)! So as to follow the manifestation and manipulation of that Brahmam ( awareness and consciousness) in all living and non living beings.

Defining and explaining this cosmic energy as prapancha purusha chaitanya for symbolically presenting the brahmaanda concept.

Further presenting that cosmic energy symbolically as mahavishnu .

The formation of the pancha bhootha from awareness and consciousness as pruthvi, ap, theja., vaayu, akaasa, + ahankaara from macrocosm. ( the last one is the consciousness in microcosm).

Formation of the elements from pancha bhootha and from that the materials/compounds.

The formation of the material world from these molecules.

From those molecules formed each and every living and non living beings, including animals and plants with jeeva chaitanya (praana) in them.

From the molecules, the cells, from the cells the tissues including the sensory organs and functional organs were formed says the first chapter of the pingala Upanishad. ( this explanation has great similarity to the evolution theory and beyond that).

The second chapter of the Pingala Upanishad is the answers given by Maharshi Yajnavalkhya for the question “ how the divine power manifested as jeevaathma ?” asked by his disciple. Yajnavalkhya said

The formation of pancha bhootha has taken place first.

In this panchabhootha based body the feelings were created/ generated after the creation of the organs from pancha boothas.

Then formed the feelings like hunger, thirst, heat, cold, etc.

These are created from the agni/ theja part of the pancha bhootha.

All the body movements, oxygen and air transfer, etc are linked with the vaayu part of the panchabhootha.

The desire, anger, jealousy, and all the mental attitudes were generated from aakaasa ( part of the pancha bhootha)

Then the five state of praana were created as praana – apaana – vyaana – udaana – samaana.

Each part of the body / organ has been attributed to one or more of the divine natural forces.

Each organ has five major foundation parameters as annamaya kosha- praana maya kosha – manomaya kosha – vijanaanamaya kosha – aanandamaya kosha.

Through these pancha bhootha constituents and pancha praanas the divinity of the nature gets manifested in body, said Yajnavalkhya Maharshi.

In the 3rd chapter excellent explanation of four mahavakyaas are given. These mahavakyaas are connected with the Vedas. From Rig-Veda prajnaanam brahma, from Yajurveda, aham brahmasmi, from Sama Veda thathwam asi and from Atharva Veda the ayam athma brahma , (four) mahavakyaas were taught (these four mahavakyas are from the four Upanishads belonging respectively to the four Vedas)

In the 4th chapter the sanyaasa charyas (acharas) and the qualifications of the Vedic scholars who has practically implemented the Vedic messages in their life are explained.

The state at which the aathma and paramaathma become one is explained as parama pada praapthi of the jeevaathma.